Super Eagles starting XI v Benin: Osho cap-tied; Iwobi, Ndidi, Iheanacho, Osimhen, Lookman start

Allnigeriasoccer.com understands Nigeria's caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen has announced his starting lineup for the Super Eagles' 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Benin's Cheetahs at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan on Thursday evening.

Chippa United glovesman Stanely Nwabali starts his sixteenth consecutive game for the national team in between the sticks despite being the 22nd player to report for international duty in Ivory Coast, meaning Udinese star Maduka Okoye and Amas Obasogie are on the bench.

Reading academy product Gabriel Osho is set to play a cap-tying game for Nigeria following his inclusion in the starting lineup and he's joined in central defence by William Troost-Ekong and Calvin Bassey.

Leicester City star Wilfred Ndidi and Fulham's Alex Iwobi are the central midfielders, with Nottingham Forest fullback Ola Aina and Boavista's Bruno Onyemaechi taking up the right wingback and left wingback role respectively.

With Victor Osimhen in tiptop condition, Victor Boniface, who started the first three games played by Nigeria in Afcon qualifying, returns to the bench.

The Bayer Leverkusen marksman has paid the price for not scoring for the Super Eagles after nine international appearances since debuting in an Afcon qualifier against São Tomé and Príncipe in September 2023.

Osimhen is flanked by Atalanta's Ademola Lookman and Sevilla's Kelechi Iheanacho. 

Super Eagles staring lineup: Nwabali; Osho, Troost-Ekong, Bassey; Aina, Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyemaechi; Lookman, Osimhen, Iheanacho

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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